Indigenous people clashed with police in the capital of Brazil Tuesday, resulting in one officer being shot in the leg with an arrow and the cancellation of a ceremony to open the exhibition of the World Cup trophy. Indigenous activists were upset about legislation before congress that threatens to shrink the size of some reserves for indigenous groups. They were joined by demonstrators rallying against Brazil’s hosting of the World Cup.
Many Brazilians are angered about the billions being spent on the tournament, saying the money should have gone to improving Brazil’s public services. In clashes, broadcast live on television, riot police fired tear gas into small pockets of protesters as they approached Brasilia’s new stadium that will host Cup matches. The cost of building Brasilia’s World Cup stadium has nearly tripled to $900 million in public funds, largely due to allegedly fraudulent billing, government auditors have said. Protesters were seen picking up the gas canisters and tossing them back at officers, along with stones and pieces of wood. Violent protests have marked the run-up to the World Cup which begins June 12.
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